Internet television program guide system

ABSTRACT

An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 60/032,539, filed Dec. 10, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the Internet, and more particularly, totechniques for providing television program guide information andservices to a user over the Internet.

[0003] A large number of television channels are available over cabletelevision systems and satellite television systems. Television viewershave traditionally had to consult preprinted television program listingsto determine which programs were scheduled to be broadcast on aparticular day. More recently, television-based program guides have beendeveloped that allow television viewers to view television programlistings directly on their television sets.

[0004] For example, the Prevue® channel is a scrolling televisionprogram listings service that a cable system operator may make availableto subscribers over a dedicated cable channel. Viewers can tune to theappropriate television channel to view program listings for televisionprograms that are currently being broadcast and are scheduled to bebroadcast in the next few hours. Although the Prevue® channel is avaluable service, the viewer is somewhat constrained by the passivenature of the service. For example, the viewer cannot view televisionlistings for the next day or week.

[0005] As a result, more advanced television program guide services havebeen developed that allow the service provider to deliver televisionprogram listing data to the user's set-top box. The data is typicallydelivered over the television cable system infrastructure (e.g., on agiven television channel during the vertical blanking interval or overan out-of band channel.) Software in the set-top box allows the viewerto display the television program listings on the viewer's televisionset.

[0006] These program guide services allow the user to manipulate thetelevision listings by searching or sorting through the listings usingcriteria such as genre, channel, and broadcast time. An example of asuch an interactive television program guide is the Prevue Express®guide of Prevue Networks, Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., the assignee of thepresent invention.

[0007] Although passive scrolling guides and interactive set-top boxguides are useful sources of television program guide information,millions of users with personal computers have not been able to obtainon-line television program listings. In addition, users have not beenable to select from diverse options that allow the user to viewpromotional video clips, interview segments, audio clips, and othermultimedia material related to a given television program.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide atelevision program guide system that provides television programlistings from a server to a user's multimedia system over an Internetcommunications link.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide atelevision program guide system that allows users to click on text orstill images to view promotional video clips, audio clips, interviewsegments, and other multimedia material related to a given televisionprogram.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished inaccordance with the principles of the present invention by providing anInternet television program guide system. A computer system having amedia library and a data server is used to provide multimedia clips andrelated television program guide data. The multimedia material andprogram guide data are provided to a web server. The web server providesthis information to the user's multimedia system via an Internetcommunications link.

[0011] The multimedia system has a processing unit for receivinginformation from the Internet communications link and processing suchinformation accordingly. The multimedia system also has a video unit forreceiving television signals. In a first embodiment, the processing unitis based on a personal computer running a standard web browser withplug-ins. The video unit is based on a television. In a secondembodiment, the processing unit and video unit of the multimedia systemare provided by an integrated personal computer and television unit. Ina third embodiment, the processing unit is in an Internet capableset-top box and the video unit is based on a television.

[0012] The web server may be located adjacent to the computer system andthe program guide data and multimedia material provided to themultimedia system via the Internet. Alternatively, the web server may belocated in a cable system headend. When the web server is located in thecable system headend, program guide data and other multimedia materialmay be provided to the web server via a satellite link. The programguide data and multimedia material are provided to the multimedia systemover an Internet communications link.

[0013] Television program guide data and related multimedia informationare preferably provided to the user's multimedia system in the form ofone or more web pages. Because such an arrangement allows the use of thewidely adopted hypertext transfer protocol (http) and emerging webstandards, a user with a personal computer can access information usingcommonly available web browser software. Because program guideinformation is distributed over the Internet, the user can access thisinformation at remote locations. For example, the user can access thetelevision program guide service while traveling by car, bus, train, orplane, from a hotel room or business meeting, from a personal computerat work, or in any suitable environment in which there is a link to theInternet. In all arrangements (whether the user is accessing the programguide service from their home or from a remote location), the systembenefits from using the established protocols and standards of theInternet.

[0014] In addition, because the Internet television program guide isprovided as a web site having a number of linked web pages, features canbe easily added or deleted from the service by the service provider,without directly affecting the hardware and software of the user.

[0015] Using a web site platform also allows a wide range of serviceoptions to be provided. In particular, numerous media formats(animation, full motion video, sound, still images, and text) aresupported and may be interconnected using various embedded hypertexttransfer protocol links.

[0016] Further features of the invention, its nature and variousadvantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a media library and data serverinterconnected with a web server and various multimedia systems.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a generalized diagram of a user's multimedia system.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a system diagram similar to that of FIG. 1 showing anarrangement in which the web server is located in a cable systemheadend.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a home page for an Internet televisionprogram guide.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a diagram of a map-based menu for identifying ageographical area of interest.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a diagram of a map-based menu for a smaller geographicalregion than shown in FIG. 5.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a web page informing the user that no service isavailable.

[0024]FIG. 8 is a web page offering alternatives to local service.

[0025]FIG. 9 is a web page allowing the user to provide informationregarding the user's multimedia system to the service provider.

[0026]FIG. 10 is a web page presenting various program guide options tothe user.

[0027]FIG. 11 is a web page containing information on community events.

[0028]FIG. 12 is a web page providing the user an opportunity to givefeedback to a local cable system operator.

[0029]FIG. 13 is a web page containing information pertaining to thelocal cable operator's system.

[0030]FIG. 14 is a web page containing weather information.

[0031]FIG. 15 is a web page presenting various program guide optionsincluding direct links to related program guide and movie guidetelevision channels.

[0032]FIG. 16 is a web page containing television program guide listingsorganized by time.

[0033]FIG. 17 is a web page presenting a menu of channel selections.

[0034]FIG. 18 is a web page containing television program guide listingsorganized by channel.

[0035]FIG. 19 is a web page containing icons representing categoryoptions.

[0036]FIG. 20 is a web page containing television program guide listingsorganized by category.

[0037]FIG. 21 is a search page containing a box for entering search textand various search field options.

[0038]FIG. 22 is a television program guide listing page based on theresults of a search.

[0039]FIG. 23. is a web page presenting program guide options related topromotional clips, interview segments, and pay-per-view and premiumservices.

[0040]FIG. 24 is a web page presenting various image stills that may beselected by the user when it is desired to view related video clips.

[0041]FIG. 25 is a web page presenting user options regardingpay-per-view and premium services.

[0042]FIG. 26 is a web page containing television program listings for aselected pay-per-view channel.

[0043]FIG. 27 is a web page containing television program listings for aselected premium channel.

[0044]FIG. 28 is a web page providing information regarding upcomingpay-per-view sporting and special events.

[0045]FIG. 29 is a web page containing still images corresponding toavailable interview segments.

[0046]FIG. 30 is a program information web page containing informationon a program selected by the user and presenting related options.

[0047]FIG. 31 is a web page that allows a user to enter information forordering a pay-per-view event.

[0048]FIG. 32 is a web page that provides a showcase for advertisers.

[0049]FIG. 33 is a web page containing detailed advertising informationon a selected topic or television program.

[0050]FIG. 34 is a site map showing the options that are selected andthe links that are traversed in navigating among the television programguide web pages of FIGS. 4-33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] An Internet television program guide system 10 is shown inFIG. 1. Television program information is stored in media library 12 anddata server 14. Media library 12 preferably contains an array of compactdisc read only memory (CD-ROM) disks, digital video disks (DVDs), orother suitable media for storing multimedia content. Media library 12contains television program clips and related interviews and reviews.The television program information stored in media library 12 isprimarily video-based. Data server 14 maintains various databases oftelevision program information. For example, data server 14 may have aremote media database containing descriptions of videos in media library12. Data server 14 may also have a database containing information onstandard titles, a pay per view database containing informationregarding pay-per-view events, and a scheduling information database.Data server 14 may have a cable system operator database containingchannel lineups, information on the time zone of the operator, weatherdata for the operator's region, data on the zip codes in the cablesystem operator's area, etc. Other databases may be supported by dataserver 14, as desired. The television program information in data server14 is primarily in non-video formats.

[0052] Media library 12 and data server 14 are interconnected withtransmission server 16 via internal network 18. Media library 12, dataserver 14, network 18, and transmission server 16 make up computersystem 19. Television program information may be stored on data server14 in a relational database format and may be stored on transmissionserver 16 in an object-oriented database format. A building processimplemented in the C⁺⁺ programming language can be used to periodically(e.g., once a day) build a temporary data set of television programinformation (e.g., a seven-day to one-month data set) for storage ontransmission server 16. Transmission server 16 also receives informationfor the Internet television program guide service such as weather data,sports scores, etc., via data input 17.

[0053] Television program information and related data may betransferred from transmission server 16 to web server 20 viacommunications line 22. Communications line 22 may be part of aninternal network or may be a standard dedicated communications line. Webserver 20 can be connected to the Internet 24 via communications link26. Communications link 26 is preferably a telephone line or othersuitable Internet communications path.

[0054] If transmission server 16 and web server 20 are separate devices,as shown in FIG. 1, transmission server 16 can be used as a common dataprocessing facility for other applications which use the type oftelevision program data stored on transmission server 16. If desired,the functions of transmission server 16 and web server 20 can beintegrated in a signal machine.

[0055] Web server 20 uses a standard protocols such as the TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and hypertext transferprotocol to make the television program information available over theInternet 24 to users at multimedia systems 28, 30, and 32 viacommunications links 34, 36, and 38. Communications links 34, 36, and 38are Internet links formed from telephone lines, radio-frequency (RF)links, cable modem links, satellite dish links, combinations of linkssuch as these, or any other suitable Internet connection paths.

[0056] Multimedia system 28 has personal computer 40 and may havetelevision 42. Certain program guide features require that personalcomputer 40 be able to control television 42 via link 41, which may be,e.g., an infrared communications link. Link 41 allows personal computer40 to tune television 42 using control signals. Television 42 receivestelevision signals from input 44. The television signals received byinput 44 and the other television signal inputs shown in FIGS. 1-3 maybe provided by cable television, satellite television, broadcasttelevision, a combination of such sources, or any other suitable sourceof television programming signals. Internet access for multimedia system28 is provided via Internet communications link 34.

[0057] Multimedia system 30 has an integrated personal computer andtelevision 46, such as the Gateway 2000 Destination® PC-TV hybridavailable from Gateway 2000 Inc. of North Sioux City, S. Dak. Televisionsignals are provided at input 48. Internet access is provided viaInternet communications link 36.

[0058] Multimedia system 32 has an Internet capable set-top box 50.Set-top box 50 may use the TV OnLine® set-top box application softwareof World Gate Corporation, which may be implemented on set-top boxessuch as the CFT-2200® of General Instrument Corporation of Hatboro, Pa.and the 8600x® of Scientific Atlanta of Atlanta, Ga. Set-top box 50receives television signals via input 52. Internet access is providedvia Internet communications link 38. Video display signals containingtelevision and Internet information are provided to television 54 byline 56.

[0059] During operation of system 10, certain data processing functions,such as user-initiated searches and sorts, are typically performed onweb server 20. If desired, such functions can be performed on a suitabledata processing component in multimedia systems 28, 30, and 32.

[0060] Certain television guide functions require only that multimediasystems 28, 30, and 32 contain web browsing capabilities. Otherfunctions require television tuning and video recording capabilities.FIG. 2 shows a generalized multimedia system arrangement that is capableof supporting controlled television tuning and video recording, ifdesired. As shown in FIG. 2, multimedia system 58 has a processing unit60, which preferably contains memory for storing instructions and amicroprocessor for executing the instructions. Processing unit 60accesses the Internet via Internet link 62. Video unit 64, which may beconnected to processing unit 60 by communications line 66, containsrecording unit 68, tuner 70, and monitor 72. Television signals arereceived at input 74.

[0061] Tuner 70 is used to select television programs from televisionsignals on input 74 for viewing or recording. Tuner 70 may be controlledunder the direction of control signals provided by processing unit 60over communications link 66. Television signals and Internet informationcan be viewed using monitor 72. Recording unit 68 allows the user tomake videocassette recordings of television programs. Recording unit 68may also be controlled by control signals from processing unit 60.

[0062] The operation of processing unit 60 is determined based on theexecution of instructions stored in memory in processing unit 60 and oncontrol inputs received from the user via user interface 76. Suitableuser interfaces include handheld infrared remote controls, keyboards,pointing devices, and voice recognition devices.

[0063] Multimedia systems such as multimedia system 58 of FIG. 2 may beused in place of multimedia systems 28, 30, and 32. Alternatively,systems such as systems 28, 30, and 32 may be modified to incorporatefeatures like those shown multimedia system 58. For example, if it weredesired to provide a multimedia system with circuitry to handle videorecording, video recording units (such as recording unit 68) could beprovided in systems such as multimedia systems 28, 30, and 32. Inaddition, in systems such as system 58, certain components may be usedmore than once (e.g., tuner 70 may be contained within both a televisioncomponent and a videocassette recorder component in system 58).

[0064] Regardless of the specific configuration of the multimediasystems used in system 10, the user of such a multimedia system has thecapability to access television program guide information on web server20. Many of the features of the Internet program guide service areavailable using multimedia systems with the capabilities of a modernpersonal computer (desktop or laptop). If it is desired to use certainprogram guide features that rely upon controlling a tuner or recordingunit, the multimedia system should also have the ability to tune to adesired television program from among the various television programsprovided at inputs 44, 48, 52, and 74 and have the ability to recordthat program automatically, under the control of commands fromprocessing unit 60. Additional features may also be implemented onmultimedia system 58.

[0065] Another configuration that may be used for an Internet televisionprogram guide system is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, Internettelevision program guide system has media library 80 and data server 82.Media library 80 contains television program clips, interviews, andreviews. The television program information stored in media library 80is primarily video. Data server 82 contains databases of televisionprogram information. For example, data server 82 may have a databasecontaining descriptions of videos in media library 80. Data server 82may also have a databases containing information on program titles,pay-per-view events, and television program schedules. Data server 82may have a cable system operator database containing channel lineups,information on the time zone of the operator, weather data for theoperator's region, data on the zip codes in the cable system operator'sarea, etc. Other databases may also be supported by data server 82. Thetelevision program information in data server 82 is mainly in formatsother than video.

[0066] Media library 80 and data server 82 are interconnected withtransmission server 84 via internal network 83. Media library 80, dataserver 82, and internal network 83 make up computer system 87.Television program information may be stored on data server 82 in arelational database format and may be stored on transmission server 84in an object-oriented database format. A building process implemented inthe C⁺⁺ programming language may be used to periodically (e.g., once aday) build a temporary data set of television program information (e.g.,a seven-day to one-month data set) for storage on transmission server84. Transmission server 84 also receives information for the Internettelevision program guide service such as weather data, sports scores,etc., via data input 85.

[0067] A web server 86 is provided in each cable system headend 88.Cable system headend 88 has additional components (not shown) fordistributing cable television signals to customers in the service areasurrounding headend 88. Providing web server 86 in a location that isrelatively close to users allows television program information to beprovided to the users efficiently.

[0068] Television program information (including video clips andassociated television program data) is transmitted from transmissionserver 84 to each cable system headend 88 via satellite uplink 90 andsatellite downlink 92. Each web server 86 uses the Internet TCP/IPprotocol to make the television program information available to usersat multimedia systems 94, 96, and 98 via respective communications links100, 102, and 104. Communications links 100, 102, and 104 are Internetlinks formed from telephone lines, radio-frequency (RF) links, cablemodem links, satellite dish downlinks, combinations of links such asthese, or any other suitable Internet connection paths. Althoughillustrated as direct links between multimedia systems 94, 96, and 98and web server 86, communications links 100, 102, and 104 may beInternet paths that pass through extensive portions of the Internet.

[0069] Multimedia system 94 has personal computer 106 and may havetelevision 108. Television 108 receives television signals from input110. Access to web server 86 is provided via Internet communicationslink 100.

[0070] Multimedia system 96 has an integrated personal computerlandtelevision 112, such as the Gateway 2000 Destination PC-TV hybrid.Television signals are provided at input 114. Access to web server 86 isprovided via Internet communications link 102.

[0071] Multimedia system 98 has an Internet capable set-top box 116,such as the TV OnLine® set-top box. Set-top box 116 receives televisionsignals via input 118. Access to web server 86 is provided via Internetcommunications link 104. Video display signals containing television andInternet information are provided to television 120 by line 122.

[0072] The system hardware shown in FIGS. 1-3 for providing televisionprogram guide Internet services is illustrative and other suitablehardware arrangements may be used, if desired. Regardless of theparticular hardware system that is used, however, the present inventionpreferably involves providing television program guide services andfeatures to users over the Internet in the form of multiple web pagesthat use the standard hypertext transfer protocol (http). In the systemof FIG. 1, web pages and associated program guide features (such assearching, etc.) are provided using web server 20. In the system of FIG.3, web pages and associated features are provided using web server 86.

[0073] Because television program guide services are provided using webpages, the program guide services may be accessed using standard webbrowsers operating on the appropriate processing unit in the user'smultimedia system. For example, in multimedia system 58 of FIG. 2, a webbrowser may be implemented using processing unit 60. Suitable webbrowsers include the Internet Explorer® web browser of MicrosoftCorporation of Redmond, Wash. and the Netscape Navigator® web browser ofNetscape Communications Corporation of Mountain View, Calif. Such webbrowsers support the viewing of various types of multimedia content,such as video stills (JPEG or GIF files) and video and audio clips (AVI,MOV, and MPG files). If desired, certain of these multimedia supportfunctions may be provided as web browser plug-ins (i.e., specialsoftware modules designed to enhance the features of a web browserapplication). A suitable video player plug-in for MOV files is theQuicktime® application of Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. AVIand MPG (or MPEG—Motion Picture Expert Group) files may be played usingthe ActiveMovie® application of Microsoft Corporation.

[0074] An illustrative welcome page 124 for the television program guideservice of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. (A site map isshown in FIG. 34.) Web browser function keys 126 help the user atmultimedia system 58 to navigate through web pages of material such aswelcome page 124. Users may also navigate by clicking on an image or anelement of highlighted text with cursor 142, which may be controlled bya pointing device such as a mouse or trackball. Other arrangements forselecting links may be used if supported by the user interface 76 thatis provided in multimedia system 58. Web browser function keys 126include back and forward keys that allow the user to navigate backwardand forward along a browsing trail. Web browser function keys 126 arenot shown in the other FIGS., but are shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate thetypes of function keys that are available with a standard web browser.

[0075] Welcome page 124 may contain identifying logos 128 (which may be,for example, United States trademarks). Identifying logos 128 allow auser to quickly associate a service provider, such as the assignee ofthe present invention, Prevue Networks, Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., with theInternet television program guide service. If desired, welcome page 124can contain summary instructions 130 that inform the user of some of thefeatures available with the service. Other web pages (not shown) maycontain links that point to welcome page 124.

[0076] Advertisements 132 and 134 allow a service provider to generaterevenues from parties who wish to advertise products using Internettelevision program guide system 10 (FIG. 1) or 78 (FIG. 3).Advertisements 132 and 134 may be video stills, may be animated, or mayinclude full-motion video. Audio material can also be associated withadvertisements 132 and 134. For example, supplemental audio informationcan be provided when a user clicks on advertisement 132 or 134. Ifdesired, advertisements 132 and 134 may be linked to web sites providedby the advertising parties. The advertisements 132 and 134 that aredisplayed may periodically (e.g., once every few seconds) cycle throughdifferent advertisements for different advertisers.

[0077] An important aspect of the Internet television program guideservice provided by system 10 (FIG. 1) and system 78 (FIG. 3) relates toon-line television program listings and information on upcoming moviesand special events. The user may be presented with a number of choicesregarding the type of on-line information that is available. Forexample, the user may be presented with the opportunity to selectbetween go local option 136, go national option 138, and go satelliteoption 140. Additional features of the service may be accessed after theuser has selected one of these options.

[0078] If the user desires to select go local option 136, the user maybe prompted to enter a zip code for the local area of interest in box144. If service is available, the program guide system links the user toan appropriate the local system operator's web site based on the zipcode information. If desired, the user can select a local area byentering information such as a cable system operator's name, the name ofa city, international country and city information, etc. Another way inwhich the user may select a local service area of interest is using amap-based graphical user interface. As shown in FIG. 5, the user ispresented with United States map 146. The user selects a state ofinterest using cursor 142. If necessary, additional maps containinggreater levels of detail are provided, each allowing the user to makefurther geographical selections. Ultimately, the user is presented witha local map (e.g., a map that allows the user to select from severalavailable cable system operators). In map 148 of FIG. 6, the user canselect between three available cable system operator regions: region 1,region 2, and region 3.

[0079] If no local service is available, the user may be provided with aweb page such as no service page 150 of FIG. 7, in which the user isinformed that local service is not presently available in the areaselected by the user. No service page 150 may provide the user with anopportunity to submit the user's e-mail address, cable providerinformation, local zip code information, and comments. Informationprovided by the user can be used by the operator of the televisionprogram guide system to solicit participation from non-participatinglocal cable operators.

[0080] If no local service is available, the user may also be providedwith pick again page 152, as shown in FIG. 8. Pick again page 152provides the user with another opportunity to select go national option138 or go satellite option 140. In addition, pick again page 152provides the user with select a city option 154, which is associatedwith a less restrictive set of program information than go local option136 (FIG. 4). With select a city option 154, the user may select adesired city using arrow key 156 (or alternatively, could type the nameof the city directly into box 158). After entering the desired city, thecity information is submitted to the system by clicking on submit button160. Because select a city option 154 is less localized than go localoption 136, choosing select a city option 154 makes it more likely thatthere will be a set of program listings available for the user.

[0081] If service is available for the user in either the city selectedin city option 154 or the localized geographic area selected in go localoption 136, the user is presented with registration page 162, as shownin FIG. 9. Registration page 162 may contain instructions prompting theuser to enter an e-mail address and information concerning the user'scomputer equipment. As with many of the other web pages provided inconnection with the Internet television program guide service of systems10 (FIG. 1) and 78 (FIG. 3), registration page 162 contains anidentifying logo 164 and advertisements 166 and 168.

[0082] Upon completing registration page 162, the user is presented withlocal cable site page 170 of FIG. 10, which is customized to reflect thelocal geographic area or city selected by the user. Local cable sitepage 170 may contain a welcome message 172 that is customized to reflectthe name of the local cable system operator.

[0083] A number of options 174 may be presented as hypertext links toassociated web pages. An image 175 is displayed that changes as the userplaces cursor 142 on top of each option 174. For example, the image 175of FIG. 10 is presented when the user positions cursor 142 over programguide option 190. Different images are displayed as cursor 142 passesover each option 174. The images 175 to be displayed are stored asbitmap images in processing unit 60 of multimedia system 58 (FIG. 2).This technique of presenting context-sensitive images to illustrate thecurrent position of the cursor over hypertext link options is preferablyused throughout the Internet television program guide service.

[0084] Various web pages may be displayed depending on which option 174is selected by the user. For example, selecting community events option176 presents the user with community events page 178 (FIG. 11), whichcontains information on local upcoming community events. If desired, thelisted community events may be specific to the type of service to whichthe user subscribes (e.g., cable or satellite).

[0085] Selecting cable feedback option 180 presents the user with cablefeedback page 182 (FIG. 12), which allows the user to submit an e-mailaddress and comments to the local cable system operator.

[0086] Selecting cable operator option 184 takes the user to cableoperator page 186 (FIG. 13), which contains information related to thelocal cable system. For example, by clicking on icon 187, the user maybe provided with a weekly report prepared by the cable system operator.

[0087] If the user wishes to customize the program guide service, theuser may click on customize option 185 (FIG. 10). Selecting customizeoption 185 presents the user with a customization web page containingguide features that the user can customize, such as channel line-ups andgenre-specific display colors (e.g., pink for sports program listingsand orange for movie program listings). The customization web page mayalso contain user-selectable options that control how the user receivesreminder messages when a desired program is about to start on the user'stelevision. The user can direct the system to provide a pop-up reminderon the television screen, to send the user an e-mail reminder, or toremind the user via a predetermined paging number, etc. Customize option185 may be provided in any suitable portion of the program guideservice, such as on a program guide listings page (FIG. 16).

[0088] Another option 174 that is available on local cable site page 170(FIG. 10) is local weather option 186. Selecting local weather option186 takes the user to local weather page 188 (FIG. 14). If desired, amap-based menu (such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) or other user inputarrangement can be used to provide the user with the opportunity toselect additional cities for which weather information is desired.

[0089] Program guide option 190 allows the user to access televisionprogram listings that can be organized by time, channel, and categoryand can be searched. Selecting program guide option 190 takes the userto program guide menu page 194 (FIG. 15). Movie guide option 192 allowsthe user to access channel listings for premium and pay-per-viewchannels, interviews, and various promotional media. Selecting movieguide option 192 takes the user to movie guide menu page 196 (FIG. 23).

[0090] The user may reach program guide menu page 194 (FIG. 15) from gonational option 138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) or go satellite option 140 (FIGS. 4and 8). If the user selected go local option 136 (FIG. 4) andsuccessfully completed registration page 162 (FIG. 9), the user mayreach program guide menu page 194 (FIG. 15) by selecting program guideoption 190 on local cable site page 170 (FIG. 10). The user may alsoreach program guide menu page 194 (FIG. 15) via select a city option154. Each of these paths to program guide menu page 194 requires thatslightly different user selections be made.

[0091] Go local option 136 (FIG. 4) requires that a user specify aparticular local region (or cable system operator) of interest to reachlocal cable site page 170 (FIG. 10). To reach program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) from local cable site page 170, the user selects programguide option 190.

[0092] Go national option 138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that a userselect a desired time zone (e.g., eastern, central, mountain, orpacific). To reach program guide menu page 194 from welcome page 124(FIG. 4) or pick again page 152 (FIG. 8), the user selects program guideoption 284.

[0093] Go satellite option 140 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that the userselect a desired satellite provider 286. To reach program guide menupage 194 from welcome page 124 (FIG. 4) or pick again page 152 (FIG. 8),the user selects program guide option 288.

[0094] Select a city option 154 (FIG. 8) requires that the user enterinformation specifying a particular city. When the user submits the cityinformation by clicking on submit button 160, the user is taken toregistration page 162 (FIG. 9). The user reaches program guide menu page194 from local cable site page 170 (FIG. 10) after completing the formon registration page 162.

[0095] Regardless of which option is used to reach program guide menupage 194 (FIG. 15), information is preferably retained by the system 10or 78 that indicates which selections have been made by the user.Retaining this information allows subsequently displayed programlistings and other information to be automatically customized to reflectthe user's selections.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 15, program guide menu page 194 may beconstructed from two smaller web pages: top web page 198 and a bottomweb page 200. Top web page 198 contains graphics and text-based options202 that are common to many different system operators. Bottom web page200 may contain system specific promotional materials, such aspay-per-view video promotion 204. Dividing program guide menu page 194in this way allows system resources to be used more efficiently thanwould otherwise be possible, because the common material in top web page198 can be used for more than one local cable system.

[0097] If desired, television channel options 206 and 208 may beprovided that allow the user to easily access related television channelprogram services. When the user selects options 206 or 208, processingunit 60 (FIG. 2) sends control commands to video unit 68 that directtuner 70 of video unit 64 to tune to a television channel on which thedesired program service is being broadcast.

[0098] For example, if the user wishes to tune video unit 64 to thePrevue® channel, the user may click on program guide television channeloption 206. When program guide television channel option 206 isselected, processing unit 60 directs video unit 64 to select theappropriate television signal from television signal input 74 so thatthe Prevue® channel is displayed on monitor 72. The Prevue® channel isan example of a type of program guide service that displays a scrollinglist of television program titles with a concurrent display ofpromotional videos and advertisements.

[0099] If the user wishes to tune video unit 64 to the Sneak Prevue®channel, the user may click on movie guide television channel option208. When movie guide television channel option 208 is selected,processing unit 60 directs video unit 64 to select the appropriatetelevision signal from television signal input 74 so that the SneakPrevue® channel is displayed on monitor 72. The Sneak Prevue® channel isan example of a type of movie guide service that displays promotionalvideos of upcoming pay-per-view events and premium channel offerings.

[0100] Television channel options 206 and 208 allow user to jumpdirectly from an Internet-based television program guide service torelated program guides services provided on conventional televisionchannels. Facilitating this type of direct link is beneficial for theuser, because it allows the user to avoid the cumbersome steps ofleaving the Internet-based service and manually tuning video unit 64 tothe appropriate channel while attempting to remember the correct channelnumber of the desired television service.

[0101] Options 202 allow the user to choose how to display variousprogram listings for the user's preselected region of interest(national, satellite, or local). Typical options 202 include by timeoption 210, by channel option 212, by category option 214, and searchoption 216.

[0102] If by time option 210 is selected, the user is presented with bytime page 218, as shown in FIG. 16. By time page 218 contains programlistings 220 that are organized in channel order from top to bottom andby broadcast time from left to right. In by time page 218, the programsin program listings 220 may be listed beginning with programs that arecurrently being broadcast. For example, if the current time is between1:30 PM and 2:00 PM, program listings 220 may begin with programs thatstart at 1:30 PM. Alternatively, the programs in program listings 220may be listed based on a predetermined time slot (e.g., morning,afternoon, or prime time). If desired, the closest time slot to thecurrent time may be displayed. Program listings 220 typically containinformation for about two hours of programing.

[0103] Cursors 222 and 224 are used to navigate to earlier or later timeperiods, respectively. Web browser cursors 226 and 228 allow the user toscroll through the program listings. The user may also navigate theprogram listings with time navigation buttons 230. For example, if theuser would like to view program listings that begin in the morning, theuser clicks on the morning navigation button 230. If the user would liketo view program listings for programs currently being broadcast, theuser may click on the current navigation button 230. Program listingsfor different days in the month may be viewed by selecting theappropriate day from calendar buttons 232.

[0104] The user can chose between various available view options byselecting the appropriate time, channel, category, or search button fromamong view buttons 234. View buttons 234 take the user to the same webpages that are presented when the corresponding options 202 of FIG. 15are selected. For example, by channel option 212 and channel view button234 are both linked to by channel page 242 (FIG. 17).

[0105] Another component of by time page 218 and various other web pagesprovided by the present system is program information box 236. Thecontents of program information box 236 changes dynamically, dependingon which program title in program listings 220 is selected. For example,the user has clicked on the entry “Primal Fear” in program listings 220of FIG. 16. As a result, the contents of program information box 236reflect this selection. Program information box 236 typically containsthe program title (e.g., Primal Fear), the running time of the program(e.g., 2:09), a brief description of the program (e.g., A hot shot . . .), and a description of the program type or genre (e.g., drama movie).The program description may contain information on the actors in theprogram, the director, etc. Program information box 236 typicallyprovides a rating of the program, such as a star rating (e.g., threestars) or the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating formovies or the television rating for television programs. If the userdesires to view additional information relating to the selected program,the user may click on closer look icon 238 (or alternatively, on anyportion of box 236), which takes the user to program information page240 (FIG. 30).

[0106] If desired, when programs are selected by a user that arecurrently being broadcast, direct tune button 231 may be displayed. Whendirect tune button 231 is clicked on by the user, processing unit 60directs video unit 64 to select the appropriate television signal fromtelevision signal input 74 to display the selected program on monitor72.

[0107] By channel page 242 of FIG. 17 is presented when the user selectsby channel option 212 from program guide menu page 194 (FIG. 15) or whenthe user clicks on a channel view button, such as channel view button234 of by time page 218 (FIG. 16). By channel page 242 contains channellist 244. Channel list 244 may be arranged in channel number order andmay contain associated icons 246 for certain channels. A user can clickon each individual channel 248 in channel list 244 to obtain a list ofprogram information based on the selected channel. A user can also clickon a graphic or text link to a listed network's web site to behyperlinked to that site.

[0108] When a channel 248 is selected, the user is presented withchannel program list page 250, as shown in FIG. 18. The selected channelin the example of FIG. 18 is channel 2. In channel program list page250, program listings 252 for the selected channel may be arranged intime order, beginning with the current time. If programs in programlistings 252 extend into the next day, the programs may be separated bydate separation bar 254. Title bar 256 contains information identifyingthe currently selected channel.

[0109] By category page 258 of FIG. 19 is presented when the userselects by category option 214 from program guide menu page 194 (FIG.15) or when the user clicks on a category view button, such as categoryview button 234 of by time page 218 (FIG. 16). By category page 258contains category list 260, which may be presented in the form ofcategory icons 262. A user can click an individual category icon 262 incategory list 260 to obtain a list of program information based on theselected category.

[0110] When a category is selected, the user is presented with categoryprogram list page 264, as shown in FIG. 20. In category program listpage 264, program listings 266 may be arranged in time and channelorder, beginning with the current time and date. Program listings 266contain the channel information for each program adjacent to the programtitle. If a user wishes to view program information for a given channel,the user may click on one of the displayed channels. The user is thenpresented with a program list that is restricted to programs appearingon the selected channel.

[0111] If desired, the program list that is displayed in categoryprogram list page 264 may be limited to programs appearing in the next24 hour period. The user may view information for later days by clickingon the appropriate day in calendar buttons 270.

[0112] Search page 272 of FIG. 21 is presented when the user selectssearch option 216 from program guide menu page 194 (FIG. 15) or when theuser clicks on a search view button, such as search view button 234 inby time page 218 (FIG. 16). Search field options 274 allow the user toselect a search field, such as title, actor, category, description,rating. A search text string is entered in search text box 276.

[0113] After search text has been entered in search text box 276 and oneof search field options 274 has been selected, the requested search isperformed (e.g., by web server 20 (FIG. 1) or web server 86 (FIG. 3))and the user is provided with search results page 278 of FIG. 22. Searchresults page 278 contains program listings 280 that satisfy the searchcriteria specified using search page 272 (FIG. 21). For example, theprogram listings 280 in FIG. 22 resulted from a search for the textstring “Gibson” in the actor search field, as shown by search criteriabar 282.

[0114] The user may reach movie guide menu page 196 (FIG. 23) from gonational option 138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) or go satellite option 140 (FIGS. 4and 8). If the user selects go local option 136 (FIG. 4) andsuccessfully completes registration page 162 (FIG. 9), the user mayreach movie guide menu page 196 (FIG. 23) by selecting movie guideoption 192 on local cable site page 170 (FIG. 10). Each of these pathsto movie guide menu page 196 requires that slightly different userselections be made.

[0115] Go local option 136 (FIG. 4) requires that a user specify aparticular local region (or cable system operator) of interest to reachlocal cable site page 170 (FIG. 10). To reach movie guide menu page 196(FIG. 23) from local cable site page 170, the user selects movie guideoption 192.

[0116] Go national option 138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that a userselect a desired time zone (e.g., eastern, central, mountain, orpacific). To reach movie guide menu page 196 from welcome page 124 (FIG.4) or pick again page 152 (FIG. 8), the user selects movie guide option290.

[0117] Go satellite option 140 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that the userselect a desired satellite provider 286. To reach movie guide menu page196 from welcome page 124 (FIG. 4) or pick again page 152 (FIG. 8), theuser selects movie guide option 292.

[0118] Regardless of which option is used to reach movie guide menu page196, information is preferably retained by the system 10 or 78 thatindicates which selections have been made by the user. Retaining thisinformation allows subsequently displayed program listings and otherinformation to be automatically customized to reflect the user'sselections.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 23, movie guide menu page 196 contains hot picksoption 294, movie cruiser option 296, main event option 298, andinterview option 300. When the user selects one of these options byclicking on the associated icon, the user is presented with acorresponding web page for that feature.

[0120] If the user selects hot picks option 294, the user is providedwith hot picks page 302, as shown in FIG. 24. Hot picks page 302contains images 304, 306, 308, and 310 of popular programs for whichpromotional materials are available. Images 304 and 308 typicallycontain program titles. Images 306 and 310 typically contain actorstills. The programs for which images 304, 306, 308, and 310 aredisplayed may be automatically selected in accordance with theirupcoming frequency on the pay-per-view services. The upcoming frequencymay be calculated based on the number of expected occurrences of a givenprogram in a predetermined period of time (e.g., seven days). Thepredetermined period may be commenced starting with the current date andtime, thereby allowing for a seamless crossing of the monthly barrier.The information used to determine which program images are displayed ispreferably customized based on the selections (local, national,satellite, etc.) previously made by the user.

[0121] When the user clicks on one of images 304, 306, 308, or 310, theuser is taken to program information page 240 (FIG. 30), which allowsthe user to obtain additional information, such as video clips andinterview segments on the selected program. When a user clicks onpay-per-view link 312 or pay-per-view link 314, the user is taken topay-per view page 316 (FIG. 26), which provides the user withpay-per-view program listings for the selected program.

[0122] When the user selects movie cruiser option 296, the user ispresented with movie cruiser page 318, as shown in FIG. 25. Moviecruiser page 318 lists the pay-per-view and premium channels that areavailable to the user (based on previous selections). In particular,movie cruiser page 318 contains pay-per-view channel options 320 andpremium channel options 322.

[0123] If the user selects one of pay-per-view options 320, the user istaken to pay-per-view page 316, as shown in FIG. 26. Pay-per-view page316 contains program listings 324 for pay-per-view events. Multiplepay-per-view programs may be simultaneously listed in a grid format ormay be listed as shown in FIG. 26 for a selected pay-per-view channel(i.e., channel 35). As with several other pages, page 316 containsprogram information box 325, which contains program information when aprogram from program listings 324 has been selected by the user.Clicking on box 325 (or a closer look icon in box 325) takes the user toprogram information page 240 (FIG. 30).

[0124] If the user selects one of premium channel options 322 on page318 (FIG. 25), the user is taken to premium services page 326, as shownin FIG. 27. Premium services page 326 contains program listings 328 forpremium events. Multiple premium service programs may be simultaneouslylisted in a grid format or a single program may be listed as shown inFIG. 27 for a selected premium service (i.e., the Disney® channel).Program information box 330 provides program information for a programthat has been selected by the user. In the example of FIG. 27, the userhas clicked on “Pete's Dragon.” Clicking on program information box 330(or a closer look icon in box 330) takes the user to program informationpage 240 (FIG. 30), where the user can view additional information onthe selected program (i.e., information on the movie Pete's Dragon).

[0125] When the user selects main event option 298 from movie guide menupage 196 (FIG. 23), the user is presented with main event page 332, asshown in FIG. 28. Main event page 332 lists premium or pay-per-viewsports events and other special events. By clicking on an event (e.g.,event 334), the user may be presented with an associated programinformation page (such as page 240 of FIG. 30), provided that additionalinformation on the event is available. Alternatively, the user may bedirectly presented with pay-per-view order page 336 (FIG. 31).

[0126] When the user selects interview option 300 from movie guide menupage 196 (FIG. 23), the user is presented with interview page 338, asshown in FIG. 29. Interview page 338 contains still images 340 ofvarious subjects. As with other pages in the Internet program guideservice, the subjects presented on interview page 338 are customized toreflect the user's selected type of service (e.g., the user's selectionof a particular cable system operator or the user's selection ofnational service or a particular satellite service). Accordingly, images340 relate to interviews for the movies and other programs currentlyavailable to the user. The determination of which interview images 340are to be made available on interview page 338 may be based on acalculation of the most frequently scheduled upcoming programs in apredetermined time period (e.g., in the upcoming week). If desired,interviews corresponding to programs not currently available to the usermay also be provided. The user may select a given interview by clickingon one of images 340. The user is then taken to program information page240 (FIG. 30).

[0127] As shown in FIG. 30, program information page 240 containsdetailed information on a selected program (e.g., the movie Birdcage).Program information page 240 preferably contains image 342, which mayinitially be presented as a still image of the program title (e.g., froma JPEG or GIF file). When a user clicks on image 342, an associatedvideo clip is presented. Program information page 240 also containstitle 344, actor information 346, and program description 348.Additional information may include content information 350 and genreinformation 352. If desired, information may be provided on thedirector, year of release, and other relevant items. Additional actorinformation may be supplied (e.g., in the form of biographicalinformation and related video clips accessed by clicking on actors 346).

[0128] Interview icon 354, commentary icon 356, and promotional clipicon 358 represent available services. The user can view video clips ofinterviews on the selected program (i.e., the movie Birdcage) byclicking on the appropriate file-type option associated with a givenservice. For example, file options 360, 362, and 364 are associated withan interview service (represented by interview icon 354). Clicking onfile option 360 allows the user to view interview video clips using aprotocol appropriate for an MOV file (e.g., using the QuickTimeapplication). Clicking on file option 362 or 364 allows the user to viewinterview video clip using a protocol appropriate for an AVI or MPG(MPEG) file (e.g., using the ActiveMovie application). Commentary icon356 and promotional clip icon 358 have associated file options (e.g.,MOV, AVI, and MPG options) that allow the user to view commentary orpromotional video clips for the selected program.

[0129] Program information page 240 contains information tied to theprogram selected by the user on previous pages. The user may reachprogram information page 240 by various paths. For example, the user mayselect a program from program listings 220 in by time page 218 (FIG. 16)by clicking on the desired program title. The user may also select apay-per-view or premium program from pay-per-view page 316 (FIG. 26) orpremium services page 326 (FIG. 27) by clicking on the appropriatelisting. When the user reaches program information page 240, programinformation is provided for the selected program. Icons and otherindicators are used to identify which services are available for theselected program. For example, if no commentary video clips areavailable for a given program, then the file options below commentaryicon 356 may be omitted. Similarly, if no video still is available for amovie, image 342 can be omitted.

[0130] Program information page 240 contains program listings 366, whichprovide program title, channel, and time and date information for theselected program. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the movie Birdcage isappearing on channel 35 (a pay-per-view channel) on three days in thenext weekly period. When the user clicks on a pay-per-view entry inprogram listings 366, the user is taken to order page 336 (FIG. 31).

[0131] As shown in FIG. 31, order page 336 contains instructions 368 onhow to order a pay-per-view event. Order page 336 also containstelephone number query box 370 and personal identification number box372. The user may place an order for a pay-per-view event by clicking onplace order button 374. Information entered by the user into boxes 370and 372 is used to verify the user's identity and account status. Oncethe user's information has been verified, the selected pay-per-viewevent may be delivered to the user's multimedia system.

[0132] The way in which pay-per-view event orders are processed dependson the particular hardware used to deliver services to the user. Orderand account verification information is generally electronicallysubmitted to the headend cable system operator or a third party orderfulfillment processor linked to the headend system. Equipment in theheadend processes the order automatically and arranges for the deliveryof the pay-per-view event to the user. Typically, the headend equipmentdirects equipment (such as a set-top box or similar integratedcomponent) in the user's multimedia system to display the ordered event.

[0133] In system 78 of FIG. 3, web server 86 at cable system headend 88may be used to receive and process pay-per-view orders submitted usingorder page 336. After processing the order, web server 86 can directconventional pay-per-view equipment at headend 88 to authorize thedisplay of the ordered pay-per-view event using set-top box 116.

[0134] Similar techniques for delivering pay-per-view events may be usedwith other hardware arrangements such as those shown in FIGS. 1-3. Ifdesired, after web server 86 has processed the user's pay-per-vieworder, web server 86 can communicate authorization information toprocessing unit 60 (FIG. 2) in the user's multimedia system 58 (FIG. 2).Processing unit 60 (FIG. 2) can direct video unit 64 (FIG. 2) to decodeand display the pay-per view event from among the received televisionsignals 74 (FIG. 2) based on the authorization information.

[0135] Order page 336 can be provided with user-selectable options forrecording programs and for reminding the user when selected programs areabout to be broadcast. For example, order page 336 may contain aclickable record button. Selecting the record option by clicking on therecord button directs multimedia system 58 (FIG. 2) to record theselected program (by controlling recording unit 68 of video unit 64 withprocessing unit 60) when the selected program is being aired. Similarly,order page 336 may contain a clickable reminder button. Selecting thereminder option by clicking on this button directs multimedia system 58to remind the user of the upcoming selected program (e.g., 10 minutesbefore the scheduled broadcast time) by automatically tuning to thedesired channel, by displaying a reminder message, or by issuing anaudible reminder. Reminder messages may also be generated by web server20 or 86 and transmitted to multimedia system 58 by e-mail.

[0136] If desired, these selectable recording and reminder features canbe incorporated into other pages, such as program information page 240,one of the pages containing television program listings, or a pagepresented to the user after clicking on place order button 374.

[0137] When a user clicks on an advertisement (typically an image) inone of the web pages associated with the program guide service, the usermay be taken directly to a more detailed advertisement page.Alternatively, the user may be taken to advertiser showcase page 376, asshown in FIG. 32. Advertiser showcase page 376 contains clickableimages, such as images 378, 380, and 382, which are linked to moredetailed advertising pages. Advertiser showcase page 376 also maycontain a advertiser logo image, such as image 390. Text bar 392contains clickable text fields that duplicate the selections availableby clicking on images.

[0138] The advertiser logo image in advertiser showcase page 376 may belinked to the web site of the advertiser. For example, image 390 may belinked to a web site for UPN, so that if the user clicks on image 390,the user will be taken to the UPN web site.

[0139] If the user clicks on an image such as images 378, 380, or 382 inadvertiser showcase page 376, the user is presented with advertisementpage 394, as shown in FIG. 33. Advertisement page 394 contains detailedinformation related to the subject matter of the image that was selectedfrom advertiser showcase page 376 (FIG. 32). In the example of FIG. 33,additional information is provided on the program “The Sentinel,”because this program was selected in advertising showcase page 376 byclicking on image 382. If desired, advertisement page 394 can containappropriate links to further advertisement pages or to the advertiser'shome page.

[0140]FIG. 34 is a site map of the television program guide service. Theservice can be accessed from service provider home page 396. Selectingthe television program guide service from home page 396 takes the userto welcome page 124. If the user selects the go local option and noservice is available, no service page 150 and pick again page 152 arepresented. If the user selects the go local option and service isavailable, the user is taken to registration page 162. If maps 146 (FIG.5) and 148 (FIG. 6) are used to define the local area of interest, themaps may be provided in path 398 between welcome page 124 andregistration page 162.

[0141] Selecting an advertisement by clicking on its image may typicallybe done on any page containing an advertisement. In the example of FIG.34, selecting an advertisement on registration page 162 takes the userto advertiser showcase page 376. Selecting an image on advertisershowcase page 376 takes the user to advertisement page 394.

[0142] Completing the registration form on registration page 162 allowsthe user to proceed to local cable site page 170. From local cable sitepage 170, the user can view community events page 178 by selecting thecommunity events option. By selecting the cable feedback option, thecable operator option, or the local weather option, the user can accesscable feedback page 182, cable operator page 186, or local weather page188.

[0143] If the user selects the go national option on welcome page 124,the user is taken to program guide menu page 194 or movie guide menupage 196, depending on whether the user selected the program guide ormovie guide option. Similarly, if the user selects the go satelliteoption on welcome page 124, the user is taken to program guide menu page194 or movie guide menu page 196, depending on whether the user selectedthe program guide or movie guide option. The user can also reach programguide menu page 194 or movie guide menu page 196 from pick again page152 or local cable site page 170. If the user reaches program guide menupage 194 from either pick again page 152 or local cable site page 170,the local area of interest to the user is retained by the system, sothat subsequently displayed program guide listings can be customized tothe user's local area.

[0144] When the user is at program guide menu page 194, selecting theprogram guide channel option tunes the system directly to program guidetelevision channel 400. Similarly, selecting the movie guide channeloption tunes the system to movie guide television channel 402. Selectingthe time option from program guide menu page 194 takes the user to bytime page 218. If a program is selected that is currently beingbroadcast and is therefore available for the user to view, a direct tuneoption may be displayed on by time page 218 or any page containingprogram listings. Selecting the direct tune option tunes the user'stelevision unit directly to selected television channel 404.

[0145] Selecting the channel option from program guide menu page 194takes the user to by channel page 242. When the user selects a desiredchannel, channel program list page 250 is displayed. Selecting thecategory option from program guide menu page 194 takes the user to bycategory page 258. When the user selects a desired category, categoryprogram list page 264 is displayed.

[0146] When the user at program guide menu page 194 selects the searchoption, search page 272 is presented. Search page 272 allows the user toenter search terms and to initiate a search of a program database. Afterthe search is performed, search results page 278 is displayed.

[0147] Selecting the movie guide option from welcome page 124, pickagain page 152, or local cable site page 170 presents the user withmovie guide menu page 196. If the user selects the interview option, theuser is presented with interview page 338. When the user selects aninterview from interview page 338, the user is taken to programinformation page 240 to view the interview. If the user selects the hotpicks option from movie guide menu page 196, the user is presented withhot picks page 302. When the user selects a hot pick from the displayedimages on hot picks page 302, the user is taken to program informationpage 240 to view a promotional video clip for the hot pick. If the userselects the main event option from movie guide menu page 196, the useris presented with main event page 332. When the user selects a givenevent from main events page 332, the user is taken to programinformation page 240 to view information on that event. Alternatively,the user may be taken to order page 316 to place an order for the event.

[0148] Selecting the movie cruiser option from movie guide menu page 196presents the user with movie cruiser page 318. The user can viewpay-per-view page 316 by selecting the pay-per-view option. The user canview premium services page 326 by selecting the premium option. Programsmay be selected by the user from either pay-per-view page 316 or premiumservices page 326. In either case, the user is taken to programinformation page 240 to view additional information on the selectedprogram.

[0149] Program information page 240 allows the user to view multimediamaterial on a given program, interview, event, etc. The content ofprogram information page 240 depends on the path taken to reach programinformation page 240 and the options selected by the user. Programinformation page 240 contains options that allow the user to select aprogram to view. When the user makes such a program selection, the useris presented with order page 336.

[0150] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of thisinvention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An Internet television program guide system forproviding web pages of information to a user at a multimedia system overan Internet communications link, comprising: a computer system forproviding television program listings; and a web server for receivingthe television program listings from the computer system, wherein theweb server provides the program listings to the multimedia system overthe Internet communications link when the user accesses the televisionprogram listings with the multimedia system.
 2. The system defined inclaim 1 wherein the computer system further comprises means forproviding multimedia material associated with the television programlistings to the web server.
 3. The system defined in claim 2 wherein themeans for providing multimedia material comprises means for providingpromotional video clips.
 4. The system defined in claim 2 wherein themeans for providing multimedia material comprises means for providinginterview video segments.
 5. The system defined in claim 1 furthercomprising means for providing a go national option which the userselects to receive information based on national television listings. 6.The system defined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing ago satellite option which the user selects to receive information basedon television listings for satellite coverage.
 7. The system defined inclaim 1 further comprising means for providing a go local option whichthe user selects to receive information based on local televisionlistings.
 8. The system defined in claim 7 further comprising means forselecting a locality for the local television listings.
 9. The systemdefined in claim 8 wherein the means for selecting a locality comprisesmeans for accepting a zip code from which the locality is determined.10. The system defined in claim 8 wherein the means for selecting alocality comprises means for selecting a local region from a map. 11.The system defined in claim 8 further comprising means for presenting apick again web page when television program listings are not availablefor the selected locality.
 12. The system defined in claim 1 furthercomprising means for presenting web pages containing advertising imagesthat the user selects.
 13. The system defined in claim 1 furthercomprising means for presenting a web page having a record option forusing the multimedia system to record a television program selected fromthe television program listings.
 14. The system defined in claim 1further comprising: means for providing a program guide option; andmeans for presenting a program guide menu web page when the user selectsthe program guide option.
 15. The system defined in claim 1 furthercomprising: means for providing a movie guide option; and means forpresenting a movie guide menu web page when the user selects the movieguide option.
 16. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising:means for providing a guide television channel option; and means fortuning the multimedia system to a guide television channel when the userselects the guide option.
 17. The system defined in claim 1 furthercomprising: means for providing a direct tune option when a selectedprogram is currently being broadcast; and means for tuning themultimedia system to the television channel for the selected programwhen the user selects the direct tune option.
 18. The system defined inclaim 1 further comprising means for providing a selectable option toarrange the television program listings by time.
 19. The system definedin claim 1 further comprising means for providing a selectable option toarrange the television program listings by channel.
 20. The systemdefined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing a selectableoption to arrange the television program listings by category.
 21. Thesystem defined in claim 1 further comprising means for searching thetelevision program listings.
 22. The system defined in claim 21 furthercomprising means for searching the television program listings by title.23. The system defined in claim 21 further comprising means forsearching the television program listings by actor.
 24. The systemdefined in claim 21 further comprising means for searching thetelevision program listings by category.
 25. The system defined in claim21 further comprising means for searching the television programlistings by description.
 26. The system defined in claim 21 furthercomprising means for searching the television program listings byrating.
 27. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising means fordisplaying interview segments selected by the user.
 28. The systemdefined in claim 27 further comprising means for providing an interviewweb page containing selectable interview images for interview segmentsthat are available.
 29. The system defined in claim 1 further comprisingmeans for displaying promotional media clips selected by the user. 30.The system defined in claim 29 further comprising means for providing ahot picks web page containing selectable hot picks images forpromotional media clips that are available.
 31. The system defined inclaim 1 further comprising means for providing a movie cruiser web pagecontaining selectable pay-per-view channels and premium channels. 32.The system define in claim 31 further comprising means for providing apay-per-view web page containing program listings for upcomingpay-per-view events for a pay-per-view channel selected by the user. 33.The system defined in claim 31 further comprising means for providing apremium services web page containing program listings for upcomingpremium programs for a premium channel selected by the user.
 34. Thesystem defined in claim 1 further comprising means for providing anorder web page.
 35. The system defined in claim 1 further comprisingmeans for providing a customization web page.
 36. The system defined inclaim 1 further comprising means for providing a program information webpage.
 37. The system defined in claim 36 wherein the program informationweb page is customized to reflect information for a television programselected by the user.
 38. The system defined in claim 1 wherein thecomputer system comprises a media library.
 39. The system defined inclaim 1 further comprising a satellite transmission link between thecomputer system and the server.
 40. The system defined in claim 1wherein: the Internet communications link comprises a telephone line;and the web server provides the web pages to the multimedia system overthe telephone line.
 41. A method for providing web pages of informationto a user at a multimedia system over an Internet communications linkusing an Internet television program guide system having a computersystem and a web server, the method comprising the steps of: providingtelevision program listings with the computer system; receiving thetelevision program listings from the computer system with the webserver; and providing the television program listings to the multimediasystem over the Internet communications link with the web server, sothat the user can access the television program listings.
 42. The methoddefined in claim 41 further comprising the step of providing multimediamaterial associated with the television program listings to the webserver with the computer system.
 43. The method defined in claim 42wherein the step of providing multimedia material further comprises thestep of providing promotional video clips to the web server with thecomputer system.
 44. The method defined in claim 42 wherein the step ofproviding multimedia material further comprises the step of providinginterview video segments to the web server with the computer system. 45.The method defined in claim 41 further comprising the step of providinga go national option which the user selects to receive information basedon national television listings.
 46. The method defined in claim 41further comprising the step of providing a go satellite option which theuser selects to receive information based on television listings forsatellite coverage.
 47. The method defined in claim 41 furthercomprising the step of providing a go local option which the userselects to receive information based on local television listings. 48.The method defined in claim 47 further comprising the step of selectinga locality for the local television listings.
 49. The method defined inclaim 48 wherein the step of selecting a locality comprises the step ofaccepting a zip code from which the locality is determined.
 50. Themethod defined in claim 48 wherein the step of selecting a localitycomprises the step of selecting a local region from a map.
 51. Themethod defined in claim 48 further comprising the step of presenting apick again web page when television program listings are not availablefor the selected locality.
 52. The method defined in claim 1 furthercomprising the step of presenting web pages containing advertisingimages that the user selects.
 53. The method defined in claim 52 furthercomprising the step of presenting a web page having a record option forusing the multimedia system to record a television program selected fromthe television program listings.
 54. The method defined in claim 41further comprising the steps of: providing a program guide option; andpresenting a program guide menu web page when the user selects theprogram guide option.
 55. The method defined in claim 41 furthercomprising the steps of: providing a movie guide option; and presentinga movie guide menu web page when the user selects the movie guideoption.
 56. The method defined in claim 41 further comprising the stepsof: providing a guide television channel option; and tuning themultimedia system to a guide television channel when the user selectsthe guide option.
 57. The method defined in claim 41 further comprisingthe steps of: providing a direct tune option when a selected program iscurrently being broadcast; and tuning the multimedia system to thetelevision channel for the selected program when the user selects thedirect tune option.
 58. The method defined in claim 41 furthercomprising the step of providing a selectable option to arrange thetelevision program listings by time.
 59. The method defined in claim 41further comprising the step of providing a selectable option to arrangethe television program listings by channel.
 60. The method defined inclaim 41 further comprising the step of providing a selectable option toarrange the television program listings by category.
 61. The methoddefined in claim 41 further comprising the step of searching thetelevision program listings.
 62. The method defined in claim 61 furthercomprising the step of searching the television program listings bytitle.
 63. The method defined in claim 61 further comprising the step ofsearching the television program listings by actor.
 64. The methoddefined in claim 61 further comprising the step of searching thetelevision program listings by category.
 65. The method defined in claim61 further comprising the step of searching the television programlistings by description.
 66. The method defined in claim 61 furthercomprising the step of searching the television program listings byrating.
 67. The method defined in claim 41 further comprising the stepof displaying interview segments selected by the user.
 68. The methoddefined in claim 67 further comprising the step of providing aninterview web page containing selectable interview images for interviewsegments that are available.
 69. The method defined in claim 41 furthercomprising the step of displaying promotional media clips selected bythe user.
 70. The method defined in claim 69 further comprising the stepof providing a hot picks web page containing selectable hot picks imagesfor promotional media clips that are available.
 71. The method definedin claim 41 further comprising the step of providing a movie cruiser webpage containing selectable pay-per-view channels and premium channels.72. The method define in claim 71 further comprising the step ofproviding a pay-per-view web page containing program listings forupcoming pay-per-view events for a pay-per-view channel selected by theuser.
 73. The method defined in claim 71 further comprising the step ofproviding a premium services web page containing program listings forupcoming premium programs for a premium channel selected by the user.74. The method defined in claim 41 further comprising the step ofproviding an order web page.
 75. The method defined in claim 41 furthercomprising the step of providing a customization web page.
 76. Themethod defined in claim 41 further comprising the step of providing aprogram information web page.
 77. The method defined in claim 76 whereinthe program information web page is customized to reflect informationfor a television program selected by the user.
 78. The method defined inclaim 41 further comprises the step of providing the television programlistings to the web server with a media library.
 79. The method definedin claim 41 further comprising the step of providing the televisionprogram listings to the web server with a satellite transmission linkbetween the computer system and the web server.
 80. The method definedin claim 41 wherein the Internet communications link comprises atelephone line, the method further comprising the step of providing webpages to the multimedia system over the telephone line.